title: Controlling sources of preanalytical variability in doping samples: challenges and solutions.
abstract: The use of illicit substances and methods contravenes the ethics of sports and may be associated with side effects. Antidoping testing is an essential tool for preventing or limiting the consequences of cheating in sports. As for conventional laboratory testing, major emphasis has been placed on analytical quality, overlooking the inherent risks that may arise from analysis of unsuitable doping samples. The adherence to scrupulous criteria for collection, handling, transportation and storage of samples, especially blood and urine samples, is essential. The leading preanalytical variables that influence doping sample quality include biological variability, sample collection, venous stasis, spurious hemolysis and presence of other interfering substances, sample manipulation and degradation, and inappropriate conditions for transportation and storage. This article provides a personal overview about the current challenges in preanalytical management of doping samples, as well as potential solutions for preventing the negative impact of preanalytical variables on sample quality and test results.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Diagnostica Ematochimica, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina di Laboratorio, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Italy. glippi@ao.pr.it.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lippi
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mattiuzzi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Banfi
mesh_terms: D004300:Doping in Sports; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins